Etihad Airways

Customer Reviews

4 star Skytrax Rating
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Seat Comfort 12345
Staff Service 12345
Value for Money 12345
Customer rating from 1759 reviews
4/10
4 star Skytrax Rating
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2/10

" most uncomfortable long haul economy seat"

(Australia)

I usually fly Malaysia Airlines when flying between Europe and Australia, but this time found a really good deal with Etihad Airways so decided to give them a try for my flight from Milan to Melbourne via Abu Dhabi. When I went to the check in counter in Milan Malpensa I was asked if I'd changed my flight date from September to April 2016. I told them I hadn't, and after 20 minutes of grumbling between check in staff, I was allocated a seat that they told me was an emergency exit seat. When I boarded the plane it turned out that I'd been given a middle aisle seat, despite there being empty emergency exit seats. On transfer in Abu Dhabi to the new plane it turned out I had again been allocated a middle seat between the window and the aisle. This seat is by far the most uncomfortable long haul economy seat I've ever had the displeasure of sitting in! Incredibly narrow, even for me (I am not a wide guy!), and with shocking legroom. When the passenger in front of me moved their seat back I literally couldn't move! On the positive side, the staff were friendly on my flight, and meals were adequate. Needless to say I won't be travelling with Etihad Airways again!
AircraftBoeing 777
Type Of TravellerSolo Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteMilan to Melbourne via AUH
Date FlownSeptember 2015
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Wifi & Connectivity 12345
Value For Money 12345
no
3/10

"it wasn't a very pleasant experience"

(India)

This was my first time flying with Etihad Airways and it wasn't a very pleasant experience. The aircraft on the Delhi to Abu Dhabi sector had newer and better business class seats than the Abu Dhabi to LAX sector. Flight was delayed taking off from Delhi and again leaving for Los Angeles from Abu Dhabi. On the second leg of my journey (which was 16.5 hrs), they only had one assigned meal and the rest were optional (which meant, order whenever required). While taking our order, the cabin staff mentioned that they had run out of the chicken option. When I enquired about how that could be possible since I was the in the second cabin (the one after first class), they simply stated that they start taking order from the back of the plane and hence they ran out. I thought this was a one off and didn't really care at the time. Later during the flight, when I tried to order something from their round-the-clock menu, they mentioned that they had run out of everything besides the baklava. It was kind of ridiculous that they expected passengers to eat only one meal during a 16.5 hr flight! On my return journey, I had the same experience. Flight delayed - after getting on the flight, they said they had run out of the mezze platter which is served as a starter. Later again, their round-the-clock menu didnt have enough to keep me (or others for that matter) satisfied. The second leg from Abu Dhabi to Delhi initially had a 2 hour gap but due to the flight getting delayed, this was reduced to about 45 minutes. Had to really hurry in order to catch the flight even without the unhelpful nature of Etihad staff on the plane and their ground staff. No one was ready to guide us through the waiting lines early for us to make it. They simply just shrugged it off. Further, after asking them repeatedly, they didn't hand out landing cards, which are required to be filled out and handed over to immigration at the Delhi. Right before landing, they made an announcement that they didn't have the cards but that their ground staff would have them as soon as we arrive at New Delhi. There was no one from Etihad Airways handing them out and the whole plane had to manage to find the cards and fill them out before finally getting into line at 03.30! Overall, regardless of their lower price than competitors (Emirates etc), I would not recommend flying Etihad again.
Type Of TravellerBusiness
Seat TypeBusiness Class
RouteDEL to LAX via AUH
Date FlownSeptember 2015
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Wifi & Connectivity 12345
Value For Money 12345
no
4/10

"we were fairly disappointed"

(United Kingdom)

Manchester to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways. The check in process went ok, when it came to boarding we were late boarding and late leaving - pilot did say it was to do with traffic at Manchester but if you check this flight daily it does not often leave on time think it is due to the fact the plane has come in that morning about an hour earlier, not enough time to get passengers off and plane cleaned. When it came to the food there was three options for main choice, but by the time the stewardess got to us there was only one choice left. The seat space was tight. On our return journey the initial check in was great - but then it all turned into a mess, as we got called to the gate and had to stand in a long line and queue to have our passports checked, various hand luggage was also been checked here. Why is this not done at security? Once we got our passports checked we were then stood in the gate area which was filling up fast, people all stood in front of the glass doors - when boarding then started they called for passengers in zone 3 and we had to fight our way through the crowds to board the plane. The food came round and once again they had run out of out the chicken course again - I did not like the other options and the stewardess then said there was some crew meals we could have, so she went away and came back with a meal which she described as a low calorie chicken dish - it turned out to be fish! One dish I do not eat good job I did not have an allergy to fish! I appreciate menu did say if your first choice is not available they apologise, but this happened on flight both ways. Me and my partner then tried to use the headsets both of these did not work. Overall we were fairly disappointed with Etihad Airways - they advertise they are a top airline, but not to us!
Type Of TravellerCouple Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteMAN to AUH
Date FlownSeptember 2015
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Wifi & Connectivity 12345
Value For Money 12345
no
8/10

"nothing to complain about for service"

(United Kingdom)

I flew Etihad Airways from Edinburgh to Hong Kong via AbuDhabi and there was nothing to complain about for service. The staff were polite and attentive, meals and snacks were lovely, and a good range of films on offer. The downside was the size of seats, which were quite small and legroom could have been bigger but I did get up and walk around a good few times so it was not a major issue.
AircraftA330
Type Of TravellerCouple Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteEDI to HKG via AUH
Date FlownSeptember 2015
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Value For Money 12345
yes
6/10

"timing and delays is an issue"

(Germany)

Etihad Airways from Munich to Abu Dhabi was delayed one hour and we therefore missed the connection to Bangkok, but got the next flight 2 hours later. We got a voucher to eat and drink. Ground staff helpful and well organized. Seats and food was good, entertainment and service as well. On the way back from Bangkok, our flight was delayed in Bangkok and in Abu Dhabi as well. Timing and delays is an issue with Etihad Airways obviously. On one flight my IG+FE was defect and service couldn´t repair. Luggage arrived ok. Summary: cheap fares but if you have a time issue and have to be somewhere in time, I would recommend other airlines.
Type Of TravellerFamily Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteMunich to Bangkok via AUH
Date FlownAugust 2015
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Value For Money 12345
yes
6/10

"15 hours sitting in seat without recline"

(India)

The flight from Bangalore to Abu Dhabi was smooth and an early landing at Abu Dhabi. Well the trouble started here when the passengers who were to travel to the US were asked to go to US Immigration Services Counter. You pass through a maze of gates and when you reach the desired gate, you see a waiting area of people which should have given me some hint. They had collected our boarding passes and were calling out names as and when our luggage was transferred. Chaos to the core and added to it is the fact that if you don't get a seat to sit, you end upstanding like me and a few others for almost 45 minutes. Finally you get the boarding pass and clear security and rush down to the US immigration counter where again after a long wait you finally get to the gate. Boarded the flight, unfortunately, after the flight took off was when I realised that no amount of pushing gets my seat to recline. After a while, looking around I realized that a lot of seats had to be manually pushed to recline by the stewardess. When I checked with one of them, she said that I can move to any other empty seat in the coach but I couldn't find an empty one that reclined. I was so glad when we landed at O'Hare - after 15 hours of sitting upright in a seat without reclining what can you expect. The IFE was good and food was hot and tasty.
Type Of TravellerSolo Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteBangalore to Chicago via AUH
Date FlownAugust 2015
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Value For Money 12345
yes
2/10

"such a hype about this airline"

(United States)

Had a bad experience with Etihad Airways from Chicago to Bangalore via Abu Dhabi. Aircraft is not clean and rather unhygienic. With seating, the leg space was ample, but cramped throughout the journey. Cabin staff were not friendly and helpful. I had to beg for Vegetarian food (even though I had confirmed via booking that I need pure veg). One time I was hungry, and had to take out the meat and eat the rest Veggie. Toilets were unclean and not maintained well. Only good thing was that I had no hassle with luggage. There is such a hype about this airline and its service. Not flying again, and not recommending.
Type Of TravellerFamily Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteChicago to Bangalore via AUH
Date FlownAugust 2015
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Value For Money 12345
no
2/10

"no assistance from Etihad Airways staff"

(Bahrain)

We are Gold/Silver Guest members of Etihad Airways. Recently, we flew on a return trip from Bahrain to Rome (FCO) and on both the long haul flights, between Abu Dhabi and Rome, the flights were delayed by more than one hour. Our luggage was delayed for 3 days when we reached Rome and also on our return journey to Bahrain. Currently awaiting for retrieval of my luggage in Bahrain and with no assistance of any kind from any Etihad Airways staff. Contacted the Etihad Call Center and ther was no response regarding this issue. A friend of ours who flew back to Bahrain with us has also lost (or delayed) his luggage.
Type Of TravellerFamily Leisure
Seat TypeBusiness Class
RouteRome to Bahrain via AUH
Date FlownSeptember 2015
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Value For Money 12345
no
4/10

"on this experience I can't recommend this airline"

(Thailand)

Madrid to Bangkok via Rome and Abu Dhabi. First two flights operated by Alitalia with no problem . At Madrid check-in I was surprised they didnt give me the boarding pass for the flight from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok. When I arrived in Abu Dhabi I understood. Etihad Airways flight was delayed for 3 hours - and 3 hours which I spent trying to get a boarding pass. Finally, they sent me to the boarding gate, I had to run as it was on the other side of the airport to get a boarding pass. Ground staff were very unhelpful. Flight and cabin crew were pleasant. Furthermore, my bag arrived one day later. Based on this experience, I can't recommend this airline.
AircraftBoeing 777
Type Of TravellerSolo Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteMAD to BKK via FCO/AUH
Date FlownJanuary 2015
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Value For Money 12345
no
8/10

"food was okay but not the best"

(Australia)

Edinburgh to Abu Dhabi on A330, is a relatively new service and a convenient way of bypassing LHR. The chauffeur drive was nice, check in very fast. The lounge was poor and not really worth waiting in but onboard things improved. Very attentive crew, comfortable, older style seats, wine good. My special meal was not on board but they found food for me and gave a letter of apology on landing and air miles as compensation. Food was okay but not the best in the sky.
AircraftA330
Type Of TravellerCouple Leisure
Seat TypeBusiness Class
RouteEdinburgh to Abu Dhabi
Date FlownSeptember 2015
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Value For Money 12345
yes